‘Spartacus: Vengeance’ sets premiere date, releases poster and

The wait for new episodes of “Spartacus” on Starz isn’t over, but the end is at least in sight.

Starz says “Spartacus: Vengeance,” which will pick up where “Blood and Sand” left off, will debut Friday, Jan. 27. The cable channel has also released a menacing-looking poster featuring new star Liam McIntyre and a behind-the-scenes video chronicling the making of the new season, which is below.

“Spartacus: Vengeance” will pick up a few weeks after the events of “Blood and Sand’s” finale. Spartacus (McIntyre) and his fellow gladiators have escaped and are working together — for now. Although he’s focused on exacting revenge against the man responsible for his wife’s death, Spartacus will eventually discover a larger purpose.

McIntyre is taking over for Andy Whitfield, whose cancer forced him to leave the series after the first season and who died in September. “Vengeance” will also feature returning cast members Lucy Lawless, Peter Mensah, Manu Bennett, Dustin Clare, Nick Tarabay and Katrina Law, along with Craig Parker as the Roman commander who made Spartacus a slave.